The earliest European Acheulean: new insights into the large shaped tools from the late Early Pleistocene site of Barranc de la Boella (Tarragona, Spain)

Since the oldest known Acheulean lithic techno-typological features in Europe were reported at site of Barranc de la Boella (Tarragona, Spain), continuous fieldwork has been conducted there archeological deposits late Early Pleistocene age (0.99–0.78 Ma). As a result, excavations two three open-air localities have significantly expanded collection and faunal remains, allowing us to make progress interpretation hominin behaviors an fluvial-deltaic sedimentary environment. This includes examples cumulative palimpsests, such as those found locality La Mina, which hominins only had minimal role modifying agents, well extraordinary mammoth butchery recorded Pit 1 locality. The aim this paper is present comprehensive update large shaped tools assess its significance framework earliest occurrence Europe. cultural entity increasingly well-documented for early Middle Pleistocene, but very little about presence before Brunhes–Matuyama boundary. Large appear explored Unit II Boella, including choppers (unifacial bifacial) standard forms, picks, knives, cleaver-like forms. Techno-typological morphometrical analyses revealed basic heavy-duty component obtained through simple shaping sequences coupled with more elaborate produced on various blanks (cobbles, slabs, or flakes). complete bifacial bilateral shapings yet be documented, specific tool assemblage attests technological threshold. Hence, archaeological data from provide insights into first appearance technology add critical information debate variability occupation continent. results study unique record Europe, different rest ancient sites continent, are dated Pleistocene. lends support hypothesis that may represent previously unrecognized dispersion out Africa connected evidence gates Eurasia, potentially moving over northern Mediterranean coastal road reach Western